I am pleased to inform you that my staff continues to assist hundreds of residents in District 6 and throughout the county. My staff is standing by to help you and your neighbors with concerns varying from road work to immigration. If you are in need of assistance from the Miami-Dade County, the state or any of the federal agencies, or you simply want to share your thoughts and/or concerns, please call my district office at (305) 267-6377 or via email at District6@miamidade.gov. I invite you to join my mailing list, and keep yourself informed of the County’s latest news and programs by visiting our website at www.miamidade.gov/district06.

Today, I am proud to announce the completion of Miami-Dade County’s portion of the project to repave and reconstruct the 62nd Avenue corridor between NW 7th Street and SW 24th Street (Coral Way), signifying one of the most extensive road work projects in District 6 history.

In 2005, I was able to secure $8,517,326.67 from the District 6 General Obligation Bond (GOB) Program to include construction of new roadway pavement, drainage system, sidewalks, decorative lighting, traffic calming devices, new parking spaces, and landscaping along the avenue. This project was by far the largest and most significant project in District 6.

I am committed to serving the residents of Miami-Dade County and want to share with you success stories of residents we have been able to assist:

During the 62nd Avenue Corridor Project, I was able to assist a resident who had recently become disabled. The constituent needed access in front of his home so he can move freely around in his wheelchair. We contacted the Miami Dade County Public Works Department and were able to secure funds from the Americans with Disabilities Act funds to pave his front yard. The street was paved and the constituent is now able to travel freely without any concerns.

My office was contacted by a father who requested assistance expediting the relative petition he filed for his 12 year old son in Cuba. The young boy’s mother had passed away and there was no family member left in Cuba who could take care of him. My office joined efforts with the office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio in reuniting the constituent and his son. My office provided the Senator’s office with the proper documentations that facilitated a successful request of the expeditious processing of the little boy’s relative petition. Both father and son are living in Miami

My office was able to assist a young couple with two small children who had recently become homeless. By working with The Homeless Trust, the Department of Children & Family, South Florida Work Force and the Hispanic Coalition, we were able to provide them with temporary shelter and helped them obtain food stamps. Today, the family of four has a home, and both parents are currently employed.

My concern over the rising cost of a college education and its effect on students led me to present a resolution urging Congress and the U.S. Department of Education to reduce outstanding student loan debt by a minimum of 50 percent, or by significantly lowering current student loan interest amounts enough to make a meaningful reduction in monthly individual student loan payments, or both.

In addition, I presented a resolution to waive any fees established pursuant to the Public Records Law or any other similar fee for electors seeking to review their own absentee ballot. The County will take all reasonable steps to provide information or direction to electors who have been the victim of improper or criminal activity regarding their absentee ballots, and allow them to legally cast a vote if possible and report any criminal activities to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and potential prosecution.

PortMiami signed an International Sister Port Agreement with the Port of Livorno, one of the largest seaports in both Italy and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The goal is to increase the cargo and cruise trade between the two ports.

On January 27, 2012, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Rebeca Sosa was invited by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and Puerto Rico’s Governor Luis Fortuño to a briefing of the U.S. Coast Guard’s drug interdiction efforts. The briefing was provided by Rear Admiral Buamgartner, Commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District. The Admiral discussed the Coast Guard’s readiness in South Florida and Puerto Rico as it relates to port security and counter drug operations.

More than 400 direct employees are working for the State of Florida Transportation Department’s contractor, Bouygues Civil Works Florida. In addition, the project has about 4,000 people indirectly hired through vendors, suppliers and subcontractors. To apply for employment, go to www.build305.com or call 305-405-9675 for additional information.

Miami-Dade's Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department is issuing its annual call for seasonal job applicants to fill the summer staffing needs. Applications will only be accepted February 27-March 23, 2012 for a variety of summer jobs at Miami-Dade Parks, including pool managers, lifeguards, park service aides, and recreation leaders. Applicants must apply via the Miami-Dade County Online Employment Application site at www.miamidade.gov/jobs. For more information, call Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Summer Job Hotline at 305-755-7898 or visit the Parks website.

The Miami-Dade Community Action and Human Services Department, through a grant from the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, is now registering pre-kindergarten children for this year’s VPK program. VPK is a FREE State of Florida educational program created to prepare four-year-olds for kindergarten and to build the foundation for educational success. The VPK program offers each child an opportunity to perform better in school and throughout life by offering quality programs that include developmentally appropriate curricula with a focus on early literacy skills. Eligibility requirements stipulate that the child has to be four years old by September 1, 2012. Learn more on the County's website.